No Whittell students test positive for drugs in 2010-11

By Kathryn Reed

ZEPHYR COVE – Students in Douglas County who want to participate in extra-curricular activities have apparently gotten the message – do drugs and you are on the bench.

The school board on Tuesday heard a report about the program. This is the third academic year the policy has been in place.

Of the 231 drug tests given to Whittell High students in 2010-11, not one came back positive. At Douglas High, eight of the 395 tests were positive, with one student refusing to take the test. Douglas is the only school in DCSD to have positive results.

The random drug tests look for alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (valium), cocaine, marijuana, methadone, expanded opiates (codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone), phencyclidine and propoxyphene (darvon).

“It’s great drug counseling is part of it so perhaps it will change their behavior,” board member Teri Jamin said.

Students were surveyed; with 64 percent saying the drug program did not deter them from initiating drug or alcohol use. Almost half (43 percent) said the program promotes a safer, healthier school learning environment.

At the end of this academic year parents will also be surveyed to gather their opinions about the program.

Here is information about the first year the policy was in place.